Ingrid (Schumacher) Anderson
Submitted: March 27, 2018
I used to work here! Actually, it was MUCH more than just my first real job … my time at CKSO AM/FM/TV gave me the invaluable experience I would take with me to create a successful, 40 year career in Radio Broadcasting.
I was hired in the late spring of 1973, to work the front desk, as receptionist. I wasn’t yet 16. My dad knew one of the engineers at the station, Helmut Frauscher. Mr. Frauscher caught wind of the need of a receptionist, and his pal, my Dad Peter, said to him, well, I just happen to have a teenaged daughter who wants a career in radio.
I met with a lady who was the GM of the company at the time, Eileen Forbom, who interviewed me and filled me in on the job requirements. I started soon after. I remember Eileen as being a powerhouse. I admired her greatly for many reasons…smart, tough, savvy and really knew business. Eileen was one of the few women in that sort of role back then, so I looked up to her. Years later I worked with other women who were like Eileen, and they never failed to impress me, and impress upon me that anything was possible.
I continued to work as receptionist through that summer of 1973. I turned 16 that August, and ended up working on and off with the station for the next few years, in various capacities (receptionist/board operator for CKSO FM/delivery person {the job actually called “messenger boy” back then}/sales secretary for a short time, filling in for someone’s vacation, etc). After high school I went on to Fanshawe College in London, Ontario studying Radio Broadcasting. I took with me a wealth of industry information that I had picked up from the many people I had met and worked alongside. I’d not yet been on the air, but I sure had a leg up on other students. The seeds of my grasp of all things radio had been beautifully planted.
After finishing at Fanshawe, I was hired by CHUM in Toronto…and stayed there just shy of 40 years. It was quite the ride.
My time at CKSO was the start of all of that. The people I worked with there trained me, and nurtured my interest in radio. My curiosity was met with equal enthusiasm. I’ll never forget my time there.
Sincerely,
Ingrid Anderson (formerly Ingrid Schumacher)
